SENATE,  November  7,  IS64. — Ordered  to  be  laid  upon  the  table 

and  j>rintcil. 

[lijr  Pfesidf.nt  pro  tern] 


LETTER  FROM  THK  GOYKKNOR  OF  VIRGINIA, 

Cnmmun'Citing  a  series  of  Ue^oliUio.is  pa>s^rl  nf.  a  3f('cfing  of  the  Govern- 
ors of  the  Slntrs  of  Virginia.  North  C'irolina,  South  Carolina,  Gear' 
gia,  Alnbamn  and  3Ilssissippi^  held  in  Augusta,  Ga.,  07i  Mond-it/,  the 
Mth  day  of  October,   |S64. 

State  of  V[rginia,  \ 

Exeaitive  Departmmt,      \ 

Richmond,  November  7,  1864.  ) 

To  the  President  of  fj'e  Senate 

of  the   (hngress  of  the  Confederate.  States  : 

Sir:  I  herewith  enclose  the  proceedings  of  the  Governors  of  sev- 
eral of  the  Slates  of  the  Confederacy,  which  you  will  please  present 
to  your  body. 

I  am,  fiir. 

Yours  most  respectfully, 

VVM.  SMITH. 


At  n  meeting  of  the  Governors  of  the  States  of  Virginia,  North 
Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  held  in 
Augusta,  Georgia,  on  Monday,  the  17th  day  of  October,  1864,  Gov- 
ernor William  Smith  presiding,  after  a  full,  free  and  harmonious  con- 
sultation and  interchange  of  counsel,  the  following,  among  other 
views,  were  expressed : 

Kcsolved,  That  there  is  nothing  in  the  present  aspect  of  public 
affairs  to  caufe  any  abatement  of  our  zeal  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
war  to  the  accomplis^hment  of  a  peace  based  on  the  indcpendepee  of 
the  Confederate  States.  And  to  give  encouragement  to  our  brave 
Boldicrs  in  the  field,  and  to  strengthen  the  Confederate  authorities  in 
the  pursuit  of  this  desirable  end,  we  will  use  our  best  exertions  to 
increase  the  effective  force  of  our  armies. 

Resolved,  That  the  interests  of  each  of  our  Stales  are  identical  ic 


the  present  struggle  for  solf-government,  and  wisdom  nnd  true  pa- 
triotism dictate  that  the  irilitnrv  forces  of  ettch  should  aid  the  others 
against  invasion  and  subjugation,  and  for  thi>  purpose  we  will  recom- 
mend to  our  several  Lefii^^latures  to  repeal  all  sucli  laws  as  piohibit 
the  executives  from  sending  iheir  forces  bevond  their  respective  lim- 
its, in  order  that  tht?^  may  render  temporary  service  wiijrever  most 
urgently  recjuired. 

Mcsnlvid,  That  whilst  it  is  our  purpose  to  use  every  exertion  to  increase 
the  strength  and  efficiency  of  our  j>tate  and  Confederate  forces,  wo  re- 
spectfully and  earnestly  request  that  the  ('onfederate  authorities  will 
send  to  the  field  every  able-bodied  man,  without  exception,  in  any  of  its 
various  departments,  whose  place  can  be  filled  by  either  disabled  offi- 
cers and  soldiers,  senior  reserves  or  negroes,  and  dispense  with  the  use 
of  all  provost  and  post  guard,  except  in  imp'  riant  cities,  or  localities 
where  the  presence  of  large  bodies  of  troops  makes  them  necessaiy, 
and  with  all  passport  agents  upon  rail  roads  not  in  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity of  the  armies,  as  we  consider  these  agents  an  unnecessary  an- 
noyance to  good  citizens  and  of  no  possible  benefit  to  the  country. 

licsnlved,  That  we  recommend  our  respective  Legislatures  to  pass 
stringent  laws  for  the  arrest  and  return  to  their  commands  of  all  de- 
serters, and  stragglers  from  the  Confederate  armies  or  State  troops, 
and  that  it  be  made  the  special  duty,  under  appropriate  penalties,  of 
all  civil  and  military  officers  to  arrest  and  deliver  to  the  proper  au- 
thorities all  such  delinquents. 

And  whereas,  the  public  enemy,  having  proclaimed  the  freedom  of 
our  slaves,  are  forcing  into  their  armies  the  able-bodied  portion 
thereof,  the  more  effectually  to  wage  their  cruel  and  bloody  war 
against  us:    Therefore,  be  it 

liesolvcd,  That  it  is  the  true  policy  and  obvious  duty  of  all  slave 
owners  timely  to  remove  their  slaves  from  the  line  of  the  enemy's 
approach,  and  especially  those  able  to  bear  arms,  and  when  they 
shall  fail  to  do  so,  that  it  should  be  made  tlu'  duty  of  the  proper  au- 
thorities to  enforce  the  performance  of  this  duty,  and  to  give  to  such 
owners  all  necessary  assistance  as  far  as  practicable. 

Reiolvrd,  That  the  course  of  the  enemy  in  appropriating  our  tlaves 
who  happen  to  fall  into  their  hands  to  purposes  of  war  seems  to  jus- 
tify a  change  of  policy  on  our  part;  and  whilst  owners  of  ulaves, 
under  the  circumstances,  should  freely  >  ield  them  to  their  country, 
yfc  recommend  to  our  authorities,  under  proper  regulations,  to  appro- 
priate such  part  of  them  to  the  public  service  as  may  be  required. 

Resolved,  That  the  States  have  the  right  to  export  such  productions 
and  to  import  such  supplies  as  may  bo  necessary  for  State  use,  or  for 
the  comfort  or  support  of  their  troops  in  service,  upon  any  vessel  or 
vessels  owned  or  chartered  by  them  ;  and  that  we  request  Congress, 
at  itj^next  session,  to  pass  laws  removing  all  restrictions  which  have 
been  imposed  by  Confederate  authority  upon  such  exports  or  imports 
by  the  States. 

And,  lastly,  we  deem  it  not  inappropriate  to  declare  our  firm  and 
unalterable  purpose,  as  we  believe  it  to  be  that  of  our  fellow-citizens, 
to  maintain  our  right  of  self-government,  to  establish  our  indepen- 


dence,  and  to  uphold  the  rights  and  sovereignty  of  the  States,  or  to 
perish  in  the  attempt. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  be  requested  to  send  a  copy  of  these 
resolutions  to  his  Excellency  President  Davis,  one  each  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Senate  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
to  be  laid  before  the  respective  bodies,  and  one  to  the  Governor  of 
each  State  in  the  Confederacy. 


